Lactium®: the alpha-casozepine with relaxing properties

Lactium®: what is alpha-casozepine?

After more than 10 years of research and development in collaboration with the University of Nancy, Ingredia has discovered Lactium®, a unique natural hydrolysate of milk proteins, containing a bioactive decapeptide called alpha-casozepine.

By observing and trying to understand what provoked the state of calm and serenity in babies when they drank milk, the researchers identified this decapeptide called alpha-casozepine.

Indeed, with trypsin, a digestive enzyme in babies’ gut, casein can turn into a calming pool of peptides. As babies grow up and their digestive system evolves, another enzyme, pepsin, becomes active: casein digestion is then modified, resulting in different pools of peptides. (Hamosh, 1996)

This is why researchers have developed an innovative process to reproduce the mechanism of casein breakdown by trypsin. Thus Lactium® was born.

Alpha-casozepine: relaxing properties

Researchers at the University of Nancy have determined that alpha-casozepine had relaxing properties, thanks to a structure similar to benzodiazepines (anxiolytic family). The peptide has a selective affinity to the brain’s GABAa receptors, with the capacity to attenuate the perception of stress symptoms in both humans and animals, such as dogs and cats.

Recognizing a stressed animal

Whether for humans or pets, Lactium® helps the whole family to cope with stressful situations. In fact, our pets can also experience stress:

Cats, for example, are more sensitive to changes in their territory: excessive noise, moving or building work, travel, the arrival of a newborn or a new animal on its territory. Stressed, it may adopt undesirable behavior: avoidance, aggression, urine marking, scratching, excessive licking or vomiting.

Dogs are more affected by changes in social interaction: separation from its owner during the day or on vacation, a new arrival in the family … even if other changes in his routine may worry them (scary noises, travel), it’s above all their place in the family that worries them. Dogs can express their stress by avoiding you or, on the contrary, by becoming more “clingy”. They may also destroy, dig, chew, lick themselves excessively or become unclean.

Prolonged stress can have an impact on the health of your four-legged companions such as:

Skin problems (pruritus, alopecia from excessive licking)
Eating disorders (can cause weight loss or gain)
Urinary problems (feline lower urinary tract disease in particular)
Gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea)
Reduced immunity
Adaptation difficulties (which can lead to behavioral disorders, the animal becoming destructive to itself or its environment)
Cardiovascular disorders

The benefits of Lactium® for animals

At the first signs of stress, or to prevent a stressful situation, help your pet better control its emotions with Lactium®.

Several clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Lactium® in stress symptoms, thanks to its ability to reduce cortisol production. Lactium® – sometimes better known to veterinarians as “alpha-casozepine” – is incorporated into several finished products, in the form of complete diet or complementary feed, to better fit your pet’s needs.

To better understand stress, its consequences and get useful tips from our veterinary behaviorist consultant, watch the episodes of our Lactalk Pet web series.

Precautions and contraindications

Lactium® is an ingredient that can be easily incorporated into pet food or supplements without side effects or dependency. It contains a very minimal lactose level (< 1%) which has no side effect on digestion. Although it functions in the same way as benzodiazepines, Lactium® has no toxic effect on the body, even in high doses, as it is entirely natural.

It can be given to pregnant and lactating queens and bitches, as well as to kittens and puppies undergoing the stress of weaning or rehoming for instance.

Because a change in behavior can also be the result of a physical disorder, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian to rule out any other medical condition that may explain it. Your vet may give alpha casozepine to soothe your pet and additional stress-relief tips on your pet’s environment for instance.

What dosage for animals?

Lactium® 15mg/kg/day is recommended for both dogs and cats.

A cat weighing 5kg will need 75mg/day, a dog weighing 10kg, 150mg. Your vet may choose to increase the dose according to your pet’s level of stress.

IN SUMMARY

Lactium® is a natural milk protein hydrolysate containing a bioactive decapeptide called alpha-casozepine. Known for its efficacy, alpha-casozepine acts on the same receptors as anxiolytics. With no toxicity or side effects, Lactium® is the ideal ally to help your pets find back their serenity.

For more information, contact us!